JMW9 setup tracking problems... need help

How about not switching the arm, and just trying to increase mass to see if anything that I suggest holds any water, at all, for you? Search the forums here by putting in "TWL mod". This is a free, and reversable, mod that adds mass to the moving system, quite a bit actually. It takes a bit of messing around to get it right, but hey, I like "free" and "reversable". As another poster suggested, you already have the auxilliary weight, why not do a little comparison using this as well? The problem with analog, is that all of these things take so much time and patience. In digital land, you can just buy a new CD player. But, if you can devote a bit of time to optimizing your LP setup, you may really reap rewards. Also, search the web for Uwe cartridge bodies. Uwe makes a Panzerholz wood body that the Denon generator slips into that makes it more massive and more rigid. I believe that it costs less than $150.00. You may research it a bit.

Harry W. recommends Dynavector cartridges for use with the JMW-9 arms. The excellent 20XL has a really different sound than the Denon, but is completely competitive. But why switch if you are happy? Again, you are the arbiter of the goodness of the system. Not me, not the slide rule, and not Harry. Enjoy!

Veridian-

Nice response-analytical backed with experience. Though I've not tried the dl-103 series on 20 (!) arms, I do have some experience. I've got a couple of DL-103Rs, a DL-103, a 103r with VdH Type 1 cantilever and stylus, and a Zu 103r. My arms include a JMW 12.5, SME 3012, SME M2-12, SAEC WE-308, SAEC WE-317, Rega RB-300, and a couple of others. I agree that a higher-mass arm (I'm a fan of 12" models) are more conducive to the compliance characteristics of the 103-series, but even so my past experience with the JMW-9, with added weight, was very satisfying. Maybe not the absolute best that can be wrung out of that cart, but still-very good. Were I the OP, I'd enjoy the 103r through it's effective stylus life, and then try a re-tip with a more compliant cant. Were he willing to spend a bit more money, the Dynavector DV-20lo is a nice(er) match to that arm.

BTW, agree absolutely with your note vis-a-vis the VTF/AS relationship. I think the OP had advice that, at best, was well meaning but derived from a calculator, not real-world experience. As I said, I'd drop the VTF down to 2.5.

Note to Veridian-
My post above was written referencing your post *before* your one above this one-take that into account when reviewing context. Looks like we're pretty much in agreement.

look a dL 103 should track noproblem at all of the vtf's you tried, 1.5 to 3.0 something is wrong. Look at the pivot. Make sure it is not bent or damaged. Also look under the wand and make sure the bearing is ok, no cracks or something stuck, obstructing the pivot point. Start over. Try many records. Also question the Denon. Something is wrong. Take multiple pics as it is currently and send them to me or all of us. I will respond tomorrow morning. Its something.

Just drop the weight to 2.5g and seems that everyhting is working perfect now: cartridge tracks several LPs with no flaws so Im enjoying my TT at last!. In a near future will try the 3 gram headshell weight to compare.
Instead of modify the cartridge with the wood case option and the extra dollars that I have to expend on that, is not better to hear from you some recomendations of cartridges that can works its best with this arm? look, Im very happy with the sound that Im getting now but, beacause is not easy for me to compare with other opptions, your experience could help me to get the best of my new TT; the idea is not to compare this unit with others (IM not going to change this TT) but to hear recomendations for this expecific configuration. Lets assume a ceiling of one thousand to expend. Thanks